Cape Town - A march was held in Khayelitsha in support of World Aids Day, 16 Days of Activism and International Disability Day.
The march was to celebrate World Aids Day and place the focus on how to highlight the issues that are affecting people when it comes to diseases, poverty, unemployment and helplessness.
The provincial Department of Health and Wellness is looking at gathering and strengthening other departments, civil society and NPOs to help fight against HIV/Aids, TB and STIs.
In support of GBV there’s a focus on helping to fight violence against mothers, children and especially young girls. Improvement in crime prevention and having developmental and training activities focusing on young women and girls.
In addition, the department is also creating awareness against violence towards disabled people and for the disabled community to be included in civil society and government structures.
The collaborative event included Department of Social Development, Department of Basic Education, Department of Agriculture, SAPS, Local Government and a local organisation Freedom for the Forgotten.
The marchers gathered outside Khayelitsha District Hospital (KDH) before marching to Harare police station and the Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court to hand over a memorandum in the hope of strengthening ties and relationships when it comes to fighting against GBV as well as sentencing of the perpetrators.
The memorandum was handed over to Colonel Junaid Alcock of Harare police station. Director for Khayelitsha Eastern Substructure James Kruger said: “We are here to plead for your support in helping the women and girls who come to your space to report crime and for you as police to treat them with dignity and support, and link them to our services.
“Today we did not come to fight, but to say we need the SAPS to support the activities that we do as the department and to unite in fighting against GBV,” he said.
Alcock acknowledged the crowd and the stand they took in marching to the police station.
“On behalf of the station we pledge that every victim that comes through our doors does not leave without getting the necessary attention. We also confirm that all the cases of GBV that are reported here at this station are not overlooked,” he said.
Gathered outside the court, one of the community members asked for help in support of a young woman whose court case is coming up after she was raped and assaulted to the point where she now has to use a wheelchair for the rest of her life.
“I stand here on behalf of Lihlasedi Murori, who was assaulted by a guy after she refused to interact with him sexually. As you can see, she now cannot walk just because she said ‘no’.
“Her court case is coming up soon here at Khayelitsha Magistrate’s Court and we would really appreciate your support,” he said.
After receiving the memorandum, the court’s manager MR Velile Yayi encouraged the crowd to stand their ground and always stick to the decision they take regarding laying the charges.
“Do not withdraw matters of domestic violence, no matter how much your family members, friends or the community encourages you to do so, you must never,” he said.